Jo works in care homes across the county, finding ways to help care home staff support their residents who may be experiencing challenges because of dementia. Jo’s compassion and care often results to fantastic feedback, receiving 5/5 iWantGreatCare reviews regularly. She is always finding solutions, making improvements and working hard to be there for the team in any way she can – a great leader and invaluable team member.

Jo recently spent a year acting up as Clinical Lead, providing calm, compassionate and effective support to colleagues while improving team performance, contributing to service development and innovation. Senior managers have recognised her strong leadership capability and everyone loved having Jo as part of the overall Leadership Team for the Care Home Support Service.

Jo said:

“I am flattered firstly to be nominated but to achieve this is amazing.  I have enjoyed all my roles with Oxford Health, and it is fantastic that my passion for “people first” is recognised and my dedication to the role is recognised. I feel I cannot take full credit for this as I have a fabulous and inspirational team around me.”

The nomination

Jo was nominated by her colleague Operational Manager Margaret Hardcastle.

Margaret commented:

“Jo is the epitome of caring – in Care Homes she checks for things she doesn’t need to and chases up things that may have been overlooked. She is passionate about residents having as peaceful, happy and pain free final years of their lives as possible and takes on projects such as ‘Managing Avoidable Contractures’ across the whole county – upskilling colleagues and staff.

“Jo is fully committed to the Trust, colleague and care home safety culture – understands, participates in and values the Trust Incident Management processes. First and foremost, she ensures care home residents are safe from harm – and will escalate any issues as far and wide as necessary.

“I have been so impressed how Jo stepped up to the leadership role so naturally – even with several challenges she remained dedicated and committed to carrying out this new role at the highest level. This did not stop her continuing to deliver excellent care and support in her clinical role and she cascaded her enthusiasm, knowledge and skills to her team – a truly excellent clinician and team leader.”

Recent feedback from one resident’s daughter:

“I would like to express my appreciation for the exceptional service provided by Jo, and for her recent assessment of my elderly father. My interaction with Jo, from start to finish, evidenced the highest standards of professionalism, compassion, and person-centred care.

“She demonstrated a good understanding of both the physical and emotional needs of my dear old dad, ensuring that his comfort, dignity, and independence were prioritised throughout. Her approach was reported by my dad as being caring and empathetic, and she took the time to listen to his preferences while carefully explaining every aspect of the assessment in a clear and reassuring manner.

“It was clear that she went above and beyond usual expectations to deliver high-quality, person-centred care. Her conduct was fully aligned with the values and care standards of the NHS, including respect, compassion, and a commitment to safe, effective, and equitable care.”